The unique character involving reclaimed teak wood helps it be excellent for giving a artistic and antique touch into the wood flooring, decking, paneling, furniture, and other architectural information on a home. Besides adding to the aesthetics on the home decor, the recycled teak furniture is a great choice for those concerned about the global warming and climate changes due to ongoing deforestation.

By opting for recycled teak furniture for instance reclaimed teak wood tables to your home, not only you get an opportunity to save our precious trees and shrubs but also save lots of money on home decor plus remodeling. The reclaimed is relatively a cost effective option compared to clean wood. With a number of online reclaimed companies reselling rich species of trees and shrubs at incredibly low bills, obtaining your favorite wood furniture is rather affordable now. These online resources never set up a list facility or hire thorough staff. The savings made in this way are passed to the customers as huge deals on various products including reclaimed furniture.

You can choose from a selection of exclusive reclaimed furniture for example the wood beds, reclaimed shelving units, granary consoles, reclaimed sideboard, wood mirrors, home accents, reclaimed teak wood kitchen tables and desks, and other furniture.

Besides letting you choose from several exclusive recycled teak furniture, the reclaimed teak wood companies also supply you with throughout assistance in the process of decision making. If you have any confusion regarding picking a right furniture for your property, these online resources will allow you out. You just have to send them a contact indicating the products you are interested in. The reclaimed teak wood vendors will then contact you to help you pick a qualified reclaimed furniture and other products on your home.

While there are still some furniture companies that can be struggling with the following concept, one can hope that they will take a tutorial from these modern and dynamic companies which may have it down pat. Make the buyer happy, and your business will grow.

Providing good customer would appear to be a good thing for businesses, yet many furniture companies are not able to really say they do so. They likely think that they do, primarily because they may be “keeping up aided by the status quo” for a respective competition. What most furniture companies don’t understand, particularly in the web based furniture business, is that the particular status quo is woefully in immediate need of acceptable.

While being average can be described as sad way to look at things, it is popular in many customer service communities. The reason because of this is simple, really–customer service costs an organisation money on leading end. While there is mostly a huge payoff extended to great customer, it will wounded the pocketbook about the bottom line while in the right now. Because of this particular, many furniture corporations take an attitude of attempting solve customer service issues inside the cheapest way possible. This also features skipping policies that will prevent problems out of cropping up from the start, and this is where thinking is severely flawed.

Customer service may be a very wide conceptual way of thinking that allows a company to separate themselves from competition. It should do not ever be about seeking the cheapest way possible to get rid of a problem. Furniture companies, both real and additionally online, are usually operating for the fairly small profit margin compared to smaller retail merchandise. This leads many to fall within the trap of operating strictly with a profit minded rationale, and not seeing the prices of alienating their own customers. An unhappy furniture customer can cost far more at the bottom line rather than these poor support service policies. Indonesian Teak Furniture Manufacturers

The best customer policies in a furniture industry talk about and beyond to satisfy their customers. They do not even make the purchase more and more difficult and they certainly never force a client to jump through hoops for any resolution to his or her’s problem. Good customer service while in the furniture industry means well over just this uncomplicated premise, however. It means being proactive prior to the problem ever develops.

One step from the right direction is to make certain you are in a direct fashion for a furniture retailer. A direct phone line for the online customers is an excellent start. A customer should never call and have to speak to a computer for a contact back. This is the sure-fire way to produce a poor customer experience-especially if you are a online furniture retail merchant.

Some of the higher quality , companies have arrived at a “virtual agent” on the websites as their particular primary basis of customer satisfaction. How in the globe do they reckon that this helps ones own customers? It only behaves to frustrate in addition to anger them. What is particularly frustrating regarding it is that it clearly is really a way for the agency to save money and it’s not about planning to make the buying experience a superb one for the prospect.

Refund and return policies are another frustrating point with contention for on the net furniture retailers. They sell a product or service that can’t be touched, and then cause you to jump through a large number of hoops to possibly discuss a return if you are dissatisfied. Usually by some time you reach someone having a pulse, the time period to come back items has prolonged since expired.

Fortunately, there are however some online house furniture companies that still learn how to deliver top notch customer care. You can easily recognize them by the way. They offer a clear method of conversation, and are always for sale to speak to people. The best ones are probably available round the clock, showing complete commitment for their customers and their needs. Also, a great customer satisfaction company will have a very reasonable return policy that is certainly flexible when customer care demands it to be so. A happy customer would be the sole motivation for these furniture vendors, and they understand that this will price tag them far less in time. A happy customer will spread the news, making the business a whole lot more profitable.

Providing good support service would are generally a good thing for everybody businesses, yet many furniture companies won’t really say them to do so. They likely believe that they do, primarily because they’ve been “keeping up while using the status quo” for his or her respective competition. What most furniture companies do not realize, particularly in unique furniture business, is that the status quo is woefully in immediate need of acceptable.

While being average is usually a sad way to see things, it is popular in lot of customer service bags. The reason due to this is simple, really–customer service costs a corporation money on the front end. While there can be described as huge payoff permanent to great customer, it will damage the pocketbook for the bottom line during the right now. Because of this approach, many furniture vendors take an attitude of trying to solve customer service issues in the cheapest way likely. This also involves skipping policies which will prevent problems through cropping up in the beginning, and this is when the thinking is significantly flawed.

Customer service is known as a very wide conceptual way of thinking that allows a company to separate themselves within the competition. It should for no reason be about picking out the cheapest way possible to get out of a problem. Furniture companies, both real and additionally online, are usually operating over a fairly small profit margin attractive smaller retail goods. This leads some of them to fall into the trap of operating strictly using a profit minded groundwork, and not seeing the cost of alienating most of the customers. An unhappy furniture customer is likely to cost far more to the bottom line compared with these poor support services policies.

The best client care policies in all the furniture industry look at and beyond to fulfill their customers. They do in no way make the purchase tougher and they certainly really do not force a buyer to jump through hoops to getting a resolution to their own problem. Good customer service inside furniture industry means a lot more than just this easy premise, however. It means being proactive ahead of problem ever crops up.

One step within the right direction is to make certain that you are for a direct fashion as being a furniture retailer. A direct phone line to your online customers is a fantastic start. A customer should never call and really need to speak to your computer for a get in touch with back. This is some sure-fire way to make a poor customer experience-especially if you are an online furniture merchant.

Some of the larger companies have been paid to a “virtual agent” on their websites as their own primary basis of client satisfaction. How in the globe do they believe that this helps their customers? It only has to frustrate and anger them. What is particularly frustrating regarding it is that it clearly is often a way for the company to save money as well as being not about aiming to make the buying experience a fantastic one for the customer.

Refund and bring back policies are a different frustrating point regarding contention for online furniture retailers. They sell something that cannot be touched, and then cause you to jump through thousands of hoops to perhaps even discuss a return for anybody who is dissatisfied. Usually by any time you reach someone using a pulse, the time period to come back items has prolonged since expired.

Fortunately, there are nonetheless some online fixtures companies that still have learned to deliver top notch customer service. You can easily recognize them in addition. They offer an obvious method of connection, and are always offered to speak to everyone. The best ones are undoubtedly available 24×7, showing complete commitment therefore to their customers and your needs. Also, a great client care company will contain a reasonable return policy which may be flexible when client satisfaction demands it to always be so. A happy customer certainly is the sole motivation for these furniture shops, and they recognize that this will expense them far less overall. A happy consumer will spread the news, making the business so much more profitable.

While there are some furniture companies which can be struggling with this concept, one can hope that they need to take a training from these effective and dynamic companies who’ve it down dab. Make the consumer happy, and your company will grow.

Famous due to the opulent wats, pristine seashores and loaded cultures, Southeast Asia has been probably the most popular take a trip destinations for your adventurous backpacker. From any bustling fashionable cities for Bangkok, Singapore as well as Kuala Lumpur for the sleepy oceanside towns of Ko Tao as well as northern Bali, Southeast Asia’s immense diversity delivers the power so that you can lure and impress even by far the most experienced visitor.

Well-trodden routes ply between your most prominent cities together with cultural sites of Southeast Asia’s significant tourism hitters regarding Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia as well as Vietnam. But business just beyond the headliners and you will then encounter the Southeast Asia that is certainly in many ways still waiting to generally be discovered. Emerging destinations during the more popular countries along with the less traversed Philippines, Cambodia, Laos as well as Myanmar offer you travelers a compelling glimpse of the region when using the added extra of very much smaller crowd. With much less Western visitors in most of these areas vacationers will knowledge a Southeast Asia that’s worlds from Khao San Roads; an practical experience within which you can more easily go to the endearing and friendly locals who create any vacation to Southeast Asian countries so memorable.

5 Surfacing Destinations within Southeast Japan

Without further ado this is a list with five of the extremely popular appearing destinations within Southeast Asian countries in hardly any particular get. These destinations are never ever completely off-the-beaten journey or off-the-radar but alternatively are becoming increasingly admired on the list of backpacker as well as independent travel crowd. Naturally, this won’t claim to generally be an exhaustive list. Southeast Asia to be a tourism location is constantly evolving and with more financial commitment into traveller infrastructure pouring within this list may well conceivably possibly be re-titled your five years through now minus the word “emerging”. Before deciding to visit some of these destinations, however, it is usually prudent to search out up-to-date go advice including required inoculations, visa prerequisites and traveling advisories.

Bagan, Myanmar

The temples or wats of Siem Obtain in Cambodia may have prestige and grandeur but perhaps virtually no destination during Southeast Asian countries can compete with the sheer level of spiritual houses in Bagan, Myanmar. With in excess of 2, 000 outstanding temples gracing the location, Bagan is still one in the least known yet unmissable destinations in the community. Hidden southwest in the more incomparable Mandalay and for the long journey in the former budget and largest city, Yangon, Bagan perceives significantly a lesser number of visitors as compared with other brow complexes within Thailand or perhaps Cambodia, giving travelers to be able to revel in its beauty with comparative calm. For one of the truly great experiences with Southeast Most of asia, perch all by yourself atop among the ubiquitous unfilled temple-top terraces before dusk to help gaze upon the setting sun reflecting brilliantly off the temples’ wonderful spires.

Traveling that will Bagan (together with Myanmar), however, is possibly not for the actual faint-hearted and also time-pressed tourist, which may perhaps explain why it’s got not yet embroiled with it is potential. To enter the country visas are essential for together with must usually be applied for in advance. Distances amongst cities can be quite substantial with streets conditions this often abandon something to generally be desired. Traveling to/from Bagan isn’t exception using daily long-distance busses plying your roads to/from Mandalay (8 working hours) plus Yangon (14-15 hrs) while trains trudge exactly the same routes at the same time significantly sluggish. Air travel is surely an option but take into account that safety specifications in Myanmar probably are not as robust like for example Western locations.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Between the particular Mekong as well as Nam Khan canals lies any crown special place of Laos, the regal town involving Luang Prabang. Few urban centers are as timeless because UNESCO Globe Heritage web page Luang Prabang having a reminiscent This french language colonial construction, grandiose Buddhist wats or temples and common Laotian timber houses stuffed neatly towards its endearing outdated quarter. In this shadow for Phu Si and its hillside temples or wats, buzzing market segments, ornate religious sites as well as restaurants offering up community and intercontinental specials capture a person’s eye of the many passing as a result of. Possessing an elusive charisma, Luang Prabang offers quickly be a favorite vacation destination for impartial travelers over the Southeast Asian countries circuit and is constantly on the move in the travel ranks while it lures back again old associates and deftly seduces brand new ones.

Road improvements have designed bus journey in Laos much more comfortable and reaching to Luang Prabang substantially easier. Buses to/from the administrative centre Vientiane (9 for you to 11 time) as well as adrenaline-fueled Vang Vieng (7 time) get away from regularly despite the fact that boats is often chartered for the amazing holiday to Nong Khiaw (7 several hours) along side Nam Ou.

Home to some burgeoning backpacker society of forms, Yogyakarta, Java’s geographic along with cultural centre, is fast evolving into one of the popular take a trip destinations in Indonesia. Strategically upon the main collection between Jakarta and also Bali, Jogja, its moniker to locals and admiring travelers similar, has come to be an more or less mandatory stopover for any trekking all over Java. And with valid reason. Jogja itself incorporates a wealth for attractions which include art galleries and museums showcasing Javanese culture plus the famous kraton, a grandiloquent walled palace in the centre of the city, once home towards the sultans. The traveler’s enclave primarily based around Jalan Sosrowijayan is really a surprisingly vivid introduction to help Indonesian, particularly Javanese, culture as well as hospitality, where it’s not unusual to observe hip, friendly people mingling easily with tourists from the area’s roadways, bars plus restaurants.

Yogyakarta’s greatest tourist drawcard, however, is the actual iconic Borobudur, the planet’s largest Buddhist forehead, situated just simply 42km aside. Constructed something like 800 POST, the temples intricate screens and stupas happen to be best seen within gentle radiance on the sunrise any time large tour groups possess yet to arrive.

Transport to/from Jogja is kind of simple since city is usually well linked to the majority of Espresso by vehicles, minibuses together with trains. The vacation to/from Jakarta is most comfortable and speediest by practice (8 working hours) as you move long-haul to Denpasar around Bali (15 to help 16 hrs) by way of Mt. Bromo (9 in order to 10 hours) is definitely most directly accomplished by means of bus/minibus.

Hoi A good, Vietnam

Possessing a distinctive character that is certainly all unique, the captivating riverside village of Hoi A captivates visitors using its enticing blend of graceful architecture plus a bucolic stride. At the guts of Hoi A strong sits your enduring Aged Town, a veritable open-museum recognized enough to get designated as a World History Site by just UNESCO. Partially as a result status, Hoi An is amazingly well-preserved and also in strolling the small alleyways it’s not necessarily difficult to see why a great number of travelers have gotten increasingly enchanted by the town and also its particular entrancing surroundings.

Located to the main seaside highway concerning Hanoi plus Ho Chi Minh town, although quite not each, Hoi A has reliable bus connections many cities throughout Vietnam. Buses to/from Color (4 to 5 time), Danang (about an hour) plus Nha Trang (9 so that you can 10 hours) can be purchased. If you’re short by the due date but still would like to visit Hoi A great, flying to/from Danang to HCMC and also Hanoi can be a possible alternative.

Pai, Thailand

Throw the actual spirit with Haight-Ashbury circa 1967 right into a misty valley inside the foothills associated with northern Thailand the other resembling Pai might just materialize. An ever more popular backpacker hotspot, laid-back and also uber-cool Pai is one among Thailand’s quickest growing tourist destinations. Unlike one other places for this list, Pai provides seemingly little when it comes to sights; but precisely what Pai doesn’t have in attractions it more than makes way up for during atmosphere and location. Once just a stopover for the people heading northern of Chiang Mai, travelers these days venture that will Pai for its fantastic wandering, rafting, elephant operating and spa relaxation solutions.

Located within northern Thailand, Pai is obtainable by motor coach rv from Chiang Mai (five hours), the second most popular international gateway for the country, and Mae Hong Son (3 hours), a serious hill-tribe hiking center.

Other Growing Destinations

With a whole lot to come across in Southeast South east asia, choosing just five rising destinations can easily hardly do justice to this sort of diverse together with exceedingly engrossing section. Here are various other destinations to prevent on radar that deserve a honorable speak about:

Traditionally, wicker has held your liminal spot amongst the worlds regarding indoor not to mention outdoor pieces of furniture. Many may say that to try wicker chair outdoor is normally crazy; and though, much of wicker bedroom furniture is specifically marketed for the purpose of outdoor benefit from. The stuff is all round more sensitive than various other materials normally reserved intended for outdoor fixtures, including material, resin and additionally wood recliners. Outdoor elements can be especially unpleasant, so preferably wicker takes the lengthiest when held indoors or in the sunroom, but it could actually go out in the open for limited variety of time while using the right maintenance. The next tips can be applied pertaining to both houseplants and garden use.

Types connected with Wicker

First of all, there are various forms of wicker, like cane and rattan, some that are heartier in comparison with others. For case, one particular wicker described as paper fiber should never get still the merest bit moisten or ıt’s going to fall away from each other. To avoid this disorder altogether, you are also able to get quite a good wicker replica created resin. They’re improved for outdoors use although lack that elegant charisma of proper wicker.

Dusting

Regular dusting will better preserve the caliber of wicker bar stools. Outdoor dust particles and dirt can more quickly get trapped in most of the many crevices, more therefore than with the help of other pieces of furniture. Besides running a traditional duster, you could possibly consider getting a hand vac or even small brush for getting in all of those harder to contact spots.

Moisture Manipulate

Wicker’s primary downfall is definitely its aversion in order to moisture, so take together with chairs. Outdoor features are hard to manage, and as well as the usual wetness, like weather showers, you may also need take into consideration things such as dew. Indonesian Furniture Manufacturers Wipe from your bedroom furniture after just about any downpours, and make use of a tarp when your chairs are usually not in take advantage of, like through prolonged spells of bad climatic conditions or instantly. Ironically, as a whole lot as wicker dislikes moisture, it enjoys enough humidity. If the elements is particularly hot as well as dry, this dries outside the wicker fibers and may also cause bar stools to creak or crack within pressure. So when you live in a more dry region of this country, you may wipe office chairs regularly with a damp (not likely wet) sponge or cloth.

Spills

If you receive spills with the exception of water relating to chairs, wipe these off immediately after they manifest, or as well you chances the nectar setting in to the fibers with the wicker. By afterward, it shall be much more challenging to clean up. Use any damp rag to wipe your location clean, and generally if the stain has got begun for you to dry, use detergent and water and water to break it all the way up. Be careful will not let the particular chair acquire too stormy, though. This should slowly breakdown the chairs. Outdoor furniture is sturdier and therefore can end up being clean using a number of cleaners, but when wicker is usually more drained, stay removed from harsh solvents, cleaners as well as power sprayers, all that can problems the dust.

Finishes

As system of the special treatment that wicker involves, you really should check the healthiness of your chairs once a year. It’s easiest you need to do in the beginning of summertime or while you take an individual’s furniture using winter storage space. If the actual varnish is without a doubt peeling, you should recoat your complete piece. Sand this down plus clean it first so the finish stands better; adding the latest coat for varnish won’t just protect your wicker, but will help keep it hunting newer. If, on the opposite hand an individual’s wicker seats are brushed, you may want to add a further coat. In the case, spray upon paints work effectively to cover the variety of nooks through the woven dust. After you will opt for the thin cover of water furniture in addition to your finish to use in the all around gloss of the furniture.

Imagine a building without a form of furniture. What an empty space. No life with zero warmth. Furniture pieces get a home vivid, cozy, a pleasant refuge. They transform real estate into the where a family can contemplate peacefully in addition to contentedly.

Indoor home furnishings, as that name implies, is used indoors and the software occupies wonderful spaces as well as areas in the home. Each piece and each individual set has some designated space where it’s always needed. The materials utilized for the manufacture of that furniture its possible wood, metal, plastics, glass, and some other related items.

Wood material may be the popular number of manufacturers because the device emanates tenderness, and consolation in design as well as its general visual appeal magnetizes buyers to get them. One quality that catches a persons vision of the attention is the fine final that reveals the wonder of all the wood grains. The showrooms associated with indoor home furnishings display several attractive not to mention well-crafted furniture with the family bedrooms, bedrooms, kitchens together with home office buildings. The collection comprises of sofas, chairs, tables, bed eyeglasses, benches, cabinets, coffee event tables, desks, TV cabinetry, office your furniture, shelves, and additional that your current eyes may behold.

Decorating a property with indoors furniture happens to be an enjoyable task for the artistic thought process especially towards the home-owner as well. The variety of furniture to be used would depend on the style and design, size, finishing, and functionality from the furniture in any particular area of the house. The places which house furniture fills ” up “, and by means of added accessories privately, are developed alive in addition to vibrant.

For the family room and home, furniture as well as hall game tables and red wine storage, organize plus beautify places. And speaking of organization and also storage, there are shelves, cabinets, as certainly as a waste of money and lets recycle containers to prevent things organized when not in work with. There is definitely furniture for those entryway as well, such mainly because hall trees that the close family or the visitors can easily hang their particular coats, hats, and umbrellas. In the sack, bunk beds for that children help saving space to ensure that other place furniture can be added to make sure you emphasize piece and balance during others. Enjoying and existing with selecting a indoor your furniture to grace your household can offer a sense of feat and satisfaction. No regrets, so so that you may speak! It constitutes a feeling as soon as one is born home to a clean as well as well-organized around and whatever we see in front of us is definitely the pleasing eyesight of fabulous and brightly-designed home furnishings.

We all realize that we will need to spend knowledgably in opting for furniture for the homes and also expensive furniture is best choice with the high-quality and even standard with the finished merchandise. Satisfaction is the end-point in our efforts in choosing your furniture for the home. For individuals who find it all impossible to locate such highly-priced indoor your furniture, they does not need to to worry as they, too, are from the minds of your manufacturers not to mention owners. They present discounts in addition to advertise gross sales at economical prices without having sacrificing any high-quality in the furniture. They look for ways not to mention alternatives to appeal to the simple folks who dream regarding possessing these types of elegant furniture that may give them all inspiration, too, to come home and also behold any lovely sight of those priceless trappings!

Not every home can include a patio that is large enough to line some furniture but which includes a little ingenuity or renovation into the home, it is possible have fun with a patio with some appropriate furniture.

There are many categories of furniture to be from the allotted space mainly because patio; patio furniture need not really be too elaborate or perhaps expensive but a well thought purpose for your patio is advisable ahead of one purchase any furniture.

Range of choices

Branded furniture manufacturers for instance P J Bridgman and Europa have many options of furniture for typically the homeowner’s consideration. These can come such as rattan or teak pieces which might be very popular amongst homeowners for garden furniture. They are premium fabrics which offer great good value.

Small round or square tables and matching chairs make great choices for furniture that is practical and space saving. These add an exquisite ambience for the simple setting of quality furniture inside of a small space.

Coffee tables form a trendy choice of furniture with glass, stone, ceramic or rattan tops that serves a unique style along with function.

Bar Stools

Patio furniture include high and low barstools with matching tables rather then having a bar counter inside. This set up lets individuals to sip their drink outside by having a smoke while enjoying all the garden scene and outside. It is a perfect piece of furniture for entertaining where guests can mingle while in the garden with some drinks from the patio bar.

Patios are also awesome snack venues or breakfast counters aided by the patio bar stools. Kids love the high stools with the fresh morning air and sunshine because they have their breakfast.

Easy Purchases

Patio furniture can be purchased in several ways. One, the homeowner can custom-made the required pieces; this is the best approach for the exact space size should be identified before making all furniture purchases. Indonesia Teak Garden Furniture Manufacturers The purpose or functionality should be identified in order that the right piece of garden and patio furniture can be sourced.

Two, Patio Furniture can be bought off the shelf anytime or while in sales. The homeowner needs to get patient if sale products are desired. However, one can try the internet like e-Bay where many furniture pieces are displayed for sales. Some may be new pieces among others re-con or second-hand items. The purchaser needs to be careful when making on the net purchases. It is wise to check the conditions and terms of the online exchange before making payment to your goods.

The purpose of this paper is to identify other companies who have faced similar human resources issues in regards to information technology. Through benchmarking different companies we can learn how other companies have handled certain human resources issues related to information technology, information systems, new technology, and data security. An overall analysis has been completed using research on IBM Europe, Ameriprise Financial, Terasen Pipelines, Shaw’s Supermarkets, CS Stars LLC, IBM, WORKSource Inc., and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. This paper also includes eight synopses of companies facing similar issue to those in the reading.

New Technology

With the changing world and constant new technology that is available, managers need to be aware of the technology that will increase effectiveness in their company. Human resource information systems (HRIS) have increasingly transformed since it was first introduced at General Electric in the 1950s. HRIS has gone from a basic process to convert manual information keeping systems into computerized systems, to the HRIS systems that are used today. Human resource professionals began to see the possibility of new applications for the computer. The idea was to integrate many of the different human resource functions. The result was the third generation of the computerized HRIS, a feature-rich, broad-based, self-contained HRIS. The third generation took systems far beyond being mere data repositories and created tools with which human resource professionals could do much more (Byars, 2004).

Many companies have seen a need to transform the way Human Resource operations are performed in order to keep up with new technology and increasing numbers of employees. Terasen Pipelines moved its headquarters from Vancouver to Calgary to be closer to the oil and realized a major growth in employees. In the past recording keeping was done on paper and with spreadsheets. Mangers at Terasen realized that there was a need to change to a more computerized system and looked into different HRIS vendors. By making the move to a HRIS system, Terasen is able to keep more accurate records as well as better prepare for future growth. Another company that saw the benefits of keeping up with new technology is WORKSource Inc. To meet the challenge of handling 100 new employees, WORKSource Inc. acquired Web-based technology programs from GHG Corp. like electronic pay stub, electronic timesheet software, time-off system, and human resource information system (“Tips,” 2006). By adapting these new programs, WORKSource was able to reduce waste and cost.

The Internet is an increasingly popular way to recruit applicants, research technologies and perform other essential functions in business. Delivering human resource services online (eHR) supports more efficient collection, storage, distribution, and exchange of data (Friesen, 2003). An intranet is a type of network used by companies to share information to people within the organization. An intranet connects people to people and people to information and knowledge within the organization; it serves as an “information hub” for the entire organization. Most organizations set up intranets primarily for employees, but they can extend to business partners and even customers with appropriate security clearance (Byars & Rue, 2004).

Applications of HRIS

The efficiency of HRIS, the systems are able to produce more effective and faster outcomes than can be done on paper. Some of the many applications of HRIS are: Clerical applications, applicant search expenditures, risk management, training management, training experiences, financial planning, turnover analysis, succession planning, flexible-benefits administration, compliance with government regulations, attendance reporting and analysis, human resource planning, accident reporting and prevention and strategic planning. With the many different applications of HRIS, it is difficult to understand how the programs benefit companies without looking at companies that have already benefited from such programs.

One such company is IBM. IBM has a paperless online enrollment plan for all of its employees. Not only has the online enrollment saved the company 1.2 million per year on printing and mailing costs, the employees enjoy working with the online plan. “Since we began offering online enrollment, we’ve learned that employees want web access,” Donnelly [Senior Communications Specialist] says, so they can log on at home rather than through the company intranet. So the company has been working to put in place a web-based enrollment system that employees and retirees can access from anywhere (Huering, 2003). By utilizing the flexible-benefits application HRIS has to offer, IBM was able to cut costs and give employees the freedom to discover their benefits on their own time and pace.

Another company that has taken advantage of HRIS applications is Shaw’s Supermarkets. In order for Shaw’s to better manage its workforce, the company decided it was time to centralize the HR operations. After looking at different options, Shaw’s decided to implement an Employee Self Service (ESS) system. The use of self-service applications creates a positive situation for HR. ESS gives HR more time to focus on strategic issues, such as workforce management, succession planning, and compensation management, while at the same time improving service to employees and managers, and ensuring that their data is accurate. With this solution, employees have online access to forms, training material, benefits information and other payroll related information (Koven, 2002). By giving employees access to their personal information and the ability to update or change their information as needed, HR was given more time to focus on other issues. Understanding the different applications HRIS has to offer will give companies the chance to increase employee efficiency and reduce costs.

Measuring the Effectiveness of HRIS

The evaluation should determine whether or not the HRIS has performed up to its expectations and if the HRIS is being used to its full advantage (Byars & Rue, 2004). One of the most significant challenges faced by public personnel executives today is measuring the performance of their human resources information system (HRIS) In order to justify the value-added contribution of the HRIS to accomplishing the organization’s mission (Hagood & Friedman, 2002). Implementing an HRIS program may seem a necessary stem for a company, but unless it will be an effective tool for HR operations, it will not help increase efficiency and may hinder it instead.

One company that implemented a HRIS system is Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS). TAMS put all employee benefits information online and created an open enrollment option when TAMS changed healthcare providers. Almost immediately upon rolling out the UltiPro portal [new HRIS technology] to employees, TAMS began seeing improvements, with an estimated 70% increase in open enrollment efficiency (Wojcik, 2004). By determining the efficiency of the new program, TAMS was able to realize the benefits of the new HRIS system.

Security of HRIS

The privacy of employee information has become a major issue in recent years. With identity theft becoming a common problem, employees are becoming more sensitive about who sees their personal information, and the security it is kept in. By making sure employee information that is kept in the HRIS is relevant to the company and making sure there is limited access (password protection) to such information, companies can make its employees more secure with the safety of their information. Whether electronic or paper, employee files deserve to be treated with great care. Establishing security and end-user privileges calls for a balance of incorporating, HR policy, system knowledge and day-to-day operations (O’Connell, 1994).

One company that faced a major security issue was CS Stars, LLC. CS Stars lost track of one of its computers that contained personal information that included names, addresses and social security numbers of workers compensation benefits. The bigger problem was that CS Stars failed to notify the affected consumers and employees about the missing computer. Though the computer was retrieved and no information seemed to have been harmed, many employees lost their sense of security with the company. New York’s Information Security Breach and Notification Law, effective in December 2005, requires businesses that maintain computerized data which includes private information to notify the owner of the information of any breach of the security of the system immediately following discovery, if the private information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by a person without valid authorization (Cadrain, 2007).

Another company that experienced a breach in security is Ameriprise Financial. In late 2005, a computer that contained personal information on clients and employees was stolen. Because many of the employees at Ameriprise take their computers between work and home, the company determined there was a need to put more security into those computers. Ameriprise made sure all employees had the new security suite installed on their computers. By responding quickly to the need for more security, Ameriprise made sure all information is being kept secure. Making sure employees information is kept as secure as possible there will be more trust in the company and the HR employees working with that information.

Conclusion

IBM, Terasen Pipeline, CS Stars LCC, and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. are good examples of companies facing issues similar to human resources information technology and human resources information systems. All of these companies know the importance of new technology, human resources information systems, and data security. The remainder of this paper provides synopses of more companies facing human resources issues, how the company responded to the issues, and the outcomes of the company’s responses.

Companies Benchmarked

IBM Europe

The Situation:

IBM is a global organization offering research, software, hardware, IT consulting, business and management consulting, ring and financing. It employs around 340,000 people, speaking 165 languages across 75 countries, and serving clients in 174 countries. In January 2007, IBM established a separate “new media” function within its corporate communication department. IBM main goal is to educate, support, and promote programs that utilize social media. IBM Europe decided to expand internal communication by blogging guidelines. The recognition was that blogging was already happening among IBMers, just in an unregulated way. In a similar way, institutionalizing a function to deal specifically with new media is not a corporate move, or establishing from scratch. It’s a response to the issues already emerging in the company. Now that those technologies are here, people are using them, they’re growing and there here to stay-we’re just going to put some structure around them so that we can try to optimize their use.” The users decide what technologies they want to use and how they want to use them. That main idea is that IBM understands that they must remember to respect the fact that social media are social. IBM had the need to connect its 340,000 global employees more effectively.

The Response:

IBM’s intent around social media has now been officially formalized. From January 22 2007, the company established a separate “new media” function within its corporate communication department. “Its remit: To act as expert consultants inside and outside IBM on issues relating to blogs, wikis, RSS and other social media applications. The main idea is to educate, support and promote programs that utilize these tools. IBM has a history of being a t the forefront of technology based corporate communication. From the multimedia brainstorming “WorldJam” that made news headlines back in 2001 in which 50,000 employees worldwide joined a real time, online idea-sharing session about the company’s direction. IMB has always prepared itself to use breakthrough technologies to establish a two-way dialogue with its employees. The need for social media was necessary and could no longer wait.

The Outcome:

In the last few years IBM has been recognized as being the vanguard of social-media use: IBM was on of the first Fortune 500 companies to get behind collaborative wikis, published internal blogging guidelines as far back as 2003, and is now moving fast beyond RSS and podcasts into videocasting and “virtual world” technologies like Second Life. The intranet search facility extends to all areas of the site, including new media aspects. When an employee logs onto their portal an executes a key word search, the results they get back not only come from the main intranet pages, but include results from IBM forums, wikis, blogs and podcast/videocasts tags. IMB has an understanding that employees are no longer staying in a company their entire lives. It’s just not like that any more. In Belgium for example over 50 percent of 2,300 employees have been there fewer than five years. The company has come to the conclusion that with an increasingly young and mobile workforce, the likelihood is that an employee population full of a younger generation, for whom these tools are part and parcel of life, is not that far away. In years to come IBM will have to deal with employee base for which blogging is just the natural way to interact over a web platform. IBM has created centralized platforms for most tools that fall under its remit, which includes wikis. For Philippe Borremans, new media lead Europe for IBM, has the potential business applications of a wiki cover two broad benefits: Collaborating and knowledge sharing. IBM has scored some notable successes on both fronts in the near 5000 wiki pages now up and running in the organization. The company has been a huge pick-up in interest in podcasting over the last 18 months writing can seem such a technical skill, whereas people feel they can talk more freely than they can write. One of the most consistently popular IBM podcasts, with over 20,000 downloads a week.

Ameriprise Financial

The Situation:

The Department of Justice survey estimates that 3.6 million U.S. households were victims of identity theft in 2004. Trafficking in personal date goes beyond U.S. borders: the New York Times reports that stolen financial information is often distributed among participants of online trading boards, and the buyers are frequently located in Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East. One reason clients are concerned about data security is the widespread publicity generated by breaches at financial services firm. In late December 2205, an Ameriprise Financial employee’s laptop that contained unencrypted data on approximately 230,000 customers and advisors was stolen from a car. Other financial services firm, including Citigroup and Bank of America, also acknowledge large-scale customer data losses in 2005. President of NCS, Rita Dew, a compliance consulting firm in Delray Beach, Florida, says that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires investment advisors to have policies and procedures that address the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards related to client records and information.

The Response:

Ameriprise Financial had to fight back and had to implement “layers of protection.” It is important for employees who their primary business computer, and employees regularly transport the computer between home, office, and meeting sites. The vulnerability of this arrangement and the need for a safety software program is much needed.

The Outcome:

Employees who are transporting lab tops should install the Steganos Security Suite on their computer. This software allows employees to create an encrypted virtual drive on the laptop that serves as data storage safe. Employees stores all client related data and tax preparation software database on the encrypted drive, which employees has set up with one gigabyte of storage space. The best thing is that when an employee turns off the computer the information is stored “safe”, the software automatically encrypts the virtual drive’s data. The software also generates encrypted backup files, which employees store on CDs in a fireproof safe. This should keep the data secure if any employee’s laptop is stolen or if the drive is removed from the laptop. Other financial advisors are relying on encryption both in and out of the office. Other programs that are being used to protect client’s information are RAID Level 1 system to store data on the drives that are encrypted with WinMagic’s SecureDocs software. Encryption ensures that anyone who steals the computer will be absolutely unable to read the data, even by connecting it to another computer as a “slave drive. This has given many financial advisors the greatest peace of mind.

Terasen Pipelines

The Situation:

Terasen Pipelines is a subsidiary of Terasen Inc. located in Vancouver, Canada and is located in several provinces and U.S. states. In 2001 the company changed its headquarters to Calgary to be closer to the oil. With the big move, the company went through a growth spurt. With the company in many different locations and the growing numbers of employees, the HR department saw a need to find a new system to keep more accurate records.

The Response:

In the past Terasen had kept records on paper and with spreadsheets and with the growth of the company, this system does not work as well as in the past. In order to compensate for future growth, Terasen began to look into HRIS companies to help with the HR operations. After researching different companies, Hewitt’s application service provider model with eCyborg was found to be the right fit.

The Outcome:

Although there was difficulty adapting to a new way of recordkeeping, Terasen was able to find a system that will help support the current and future growth of the company. Fortunately, some of the HR staff had experience working with an HRIS and were able to help their colleagues imagine new processes, as aided by a system. One theme often voiced throughout this process was: “You guys don’t know how hard we’re working when we can make it so much easier with a system that could do a lot of this for us. You don’t always have to run to the cabinet for the employee file just to get basic information. It can all be at your fingertips.” (Vu, 2005). In order to help Terasen ease the HR burden of implementing a new HR system, the management of Terasen was convinced to look for a vendor to help implement and maintain a HRIS system. This system has helped Terasen better prepare for current and future growth.

Shaw’s Supermarkets

The Situation:

Shaw’s Supermarkets is the second largest supermarket chain in New England. With a workforce of 30,000 located at 180 stores throughout six states, Shaw’s HR staff is responsible for managing employees’ personal data. Their employee mix includes approximately 70 percent part-time employees, consisting of students, senior citizens, second-job part-timers, and career part-timers. One third of the workforce is made up of union associates, and Shaw’s staff oversees the company’s involvement with three unions and six separate contracts (Koven, 2002). In order to help manage the workforce, the HR staff became interested in centralizing its HR operations.

The Response:

In order to centralize HR operations Shaw’s decided to implement an ESS (employee self-service) solution. The use of self-service applications creates a positive situation for HR. ESS gives HR more time to focus on strategic issues, such as workforce management, succession planning, and compensation management, while at the same time improving service to employees and managers, and ensuring that their data is accurate. With this solution, employees have online access to forms, training material, benefits information and other payroll related information.

The Outcome:

Shaw’s has had positive feedback since implementing the ESS solution. “The reaction from our employees has been extremely positive,” Penney, VP of Compensation and Benefits, says. “We even had a significant increase in our medical coverage costs, and it was almost a non-issue because the online enrollment featured the plan choices, the employee cost, and the company subsidy. An employee self-service application makes it very easy for them to understand their contributions and coverage options. I received several e-mails from employees saying this was a great change and how easy ESS was, which the case is not often when employees are selecting their benefit options.” (Koven, 2002). By giving the employees more access to their information they are able to see the benefit choices available to them. Employees are also able to update their information online, which helps reduce the paperwork of the past. Shaw’s has also seen improvement in productivity because employees are updating information at home, not during work hours.

CS Stars, LLC

The Situation:

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York State has reached its first settlement with a company charged with failing to notify consumers and others that their personal data had gone missing. Cuomo’s office, which enforces the state’s 2005 Information Security Breach and Notification Law, charged CS STARS LLC, a Chicago-based claims management company, with failing to give notice that it had lost track of a computer containing data on 540,000 New Yorkers’ workers’ comp claims.

The Response:

The owner of the lost data, which had been in the custody of CS STARS, was the New York Special Funds Conservation Committee, an organization that assists in providing workers’ comp benefits under the state’s workers’ comp law. On May 9, 2006, a CS STARS employee noticed that a computer was missing that held personal information, including the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of recipients of workers’ compensation benefits. But CS Stars waited until June 29, 2006, to notify Special Funds and the FBI of the security breach. Because the FBI declared that notice to consumers might impede its investigation, CS STARS waited until July 8, 2006, to send notices to the 540,000 New Yorkers affected by the breach. On July 25, 2006, the FBI determined an employee, of a cleaning contractor, had stolen the computer, and the missing computer was located and recovered. In addition, the FBI found that the data on the missing computer had not been improperly accessed.

The Outcome:

New York’s Information Security Breach and Notification Law, effective in December 2005, requires businesses that maintain computerized data which includes private information to notify the owner of the information of any breach of the security of the system immediately following discovery, if the private information was, or is reasonably believed to have been, acquired by a person without valid authorization. The law affects not only businesses in their dealings with their customers, but employers in their role as custodians of employees’ personal data. (Cadrain)

Without admitting to any violation of law, CS STARS agreed to comply with the law and ensure that proper notifications will be made in the event of any future breach. The company also agreed to implement more extensive practices relating to the security of private information. CS STARS will pay the Attorney General’s office $60,000 for costs related to this investigation. (Cadrain)

IBM

The Situation:

IBM’s paperless online enrollment system, introduced in 1999, has proved to be a winner for both the company’s 135,000 active U.S. employees and the company, according to Cathleen Donnelly, senior communications specialist at company headquarters in Armonk, N.Y. The company saves $1.2 million per year on printing and mailing costs alone, Donnelly says, and the employees’ can take advantage of a variety of technologies to learn about issues, research program information and access decision support tools from their desktop computers. (Heuring, 2002)

The Response:

One of those tools, a personal medical cost estimator, enables employees to calculate potential out-of-pocket health care expenses under each of the plan options available to them, Donnelly says. Employees log in personally and are greeted by name and with important information regarding their benefits enrollment, such as the deadlines and when changes take effect. They automatically get access to health plans that are available to them, and the calculator lets them compare estimated benefit amounts for each plan.

“Employees can select the health care services they expect to use in a particular year, estimate expected frequency of use, and calculate potential costs under each plan option,” Donnelly says. “The feedback that we’ve received from employees tells us that this tool has really helped them to make a comparison between plans based on how they consume medical services.” The calculator shows both IBM’s costs and the employee’s. (Heuring, 2002)

The Outcome:

“Since we began offering online enrollment, we’ve learned that employees want web access,” Donnelly says, so they can log on at home rather than through the company intranet. So the company has been working to put in place a web-based enrollment system that employees and retirees can access from anywhere.

Employees can get summary information on the plans, drill down into very specific details and follow links to the health care providers for research. Donnelly says the system has received high marks for convenience because employees can “get in and out quickly.”

WORKSource has eight workforce centers, with approximately 108 employees, located throughout a six-county region. Previously, payroll, benefits, and human resources for those employees were processed and managed by a Professional Employer Organization. The company also has 52 administrative staff in its headquarters office. When the contract with the PEO terminated on June 30, 2006, those 108 employees were immediately moved to the payroll of WORKSource, which meant Hahn’s workload more than doubled effective July 2006 (“Tips,” 2006).

Hahn, in an interview with PMR, said she relied on LEAN to help get a handle on what needed to change for her to manage the increased workload. Two years earlier, Hahn’s CEO had introduced her to LEAN, a Japanese management concept of eliminating wasteful steps and motion when completing processes. “I began to read as much as possible about LEAN and joined an HR LEAN focus group” (“Tips,” 2006).

The Outcome:

Mastering the concepts of LEAN led Hahn to develop and apply her own acronym of “REASON” to her department’s payroll and HR processes. Review the process: map payroll tasks from start to finish. Eliminate waste: determine how to complete a payroll task most efficiently without unnecessary steps. Analyze alternatives: research and evaluate the applicability of new technology. Sell innovations to management: document the return on investment of each innovation. Open the lines of communication: communicate openly—and often—with all stakeholders, including employees and top management. Never allow negativity: make change simple and fun. Give employees plenty of encouragement and time to learn (“Tips,” 2006). Judith Hahn was able to implement the right human resource functions using information systems.

Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc.

The Situation:

Lynda Morvik, director of benefits and human resources information systems at Tustin, California-based Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. (TAMS), thought it would make sense to add a benefits communication component to it. By having all the benefit information online, the TAMS employee handbook would also be a living document, enabling Morvik to make changes when necessary. Such was the case halfway through the project, when TAMS changed health care plans from Aetna Inc. to United Health Group Inc (Wojcik, 2004).

The Response:

TAMS, an independent group company of Toshiba Corporation and a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, MRI, and information systems, had been using a payroll service bureau and an in-house solution for HR that didn’t include easy-to-use consolidated reporting or an employee portal. After evaluating UltiPro alongside several enterprise resource vendors, TAMS selected Ultimate Software’s offering and went live in September 2002 after an on-time and on-budget implementation. Almost immediately upon rolling out the UltiPro portal to employees, TAMS began seeing improvements, with an estimated 70% increase in open enrollment efficiency (Wojcik, 2004).

The Outcome:

In an effort to expand the usage of the Web beyond the benefits enrollment process, TAMS has posted a library of documents and forms on its HR portal, including the benefits handbook, which garnered a 2004 Apex Award for publication excellence. That same year, Business Insurance magazine also gave TAMS the Electronic Benefit Communication (EBC) award for outstanding achievement in communicating employee benefits programs over the Web. To continue elevating its use of Ultimate Software’s HRMS/payroll solution, TAMS modified the UltiPro portal to meet the imaging company’s unique needs (Wojcik, 2004). It was completely integrated with several proprietary applications created to address compensation and performance management issues so that TAMS employees have a central location for comprehensive workforce and payroll information from a Web browser that they can access with a single sign-on (Wojcik, 2004).